Berkleigh back to top form

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32461, 23 November 1970, Page 8

Berkleigh back to top form

Berkleigh followed up some most consistant racing with a fine win over Boy Friend in the Final Handicap, the two four-year-olds drawing away from their rivals over the last 75 yards.

Berkleigh, winner of the New Zealand Derby Stakes 12 months earlier, was given every chance by J. A. Carmichael and fought on in great style. Trained at Belfast by C. A. Winter, Who races him in partnership with his wife, Berkleigh is expected to be a leading contender for InterDominion Championship honours next February. Boy Friend, another candidate for the same series, looked all over the winner 100 yards out, but he went down in the last few strides. He was more than two lengths in front of Sam Again, which shaded Rauka Lad and Van Rover. Sam Again was later disqualified, and Rauka Lad and Van Rover promoted. Sassenach gained his second win at the meeting when he led almost from end to end in the Churchill Handicap. He set a very easy pace, sprinting his last half in 60 l-ssec, and final quarter in 29 4-ssec. He won by a head from Smokey Express, with a nose to Morano Lad, which lost ground early. Globe Bay was beaten off fourth! ahead of Restabell. Heatherloch gained an

overdue win in the Shirley Handicap. She got a perfect run behind General Demand and had to be shaken up to beat that runner by a neck. Fury Star was five lengths back third, ahead of Gigolo. Heatherloch’s stablemate, Rain Again, followed up some consistent Tacing with a deserved win in the Harold Logan Handicap. He became awkwardly placed on the home turn and had to change course over the final furlong. He responded well to beat Black Label by a neck, with a short length to Morris Pal, which •.>.'<>« clear of Pine Globe, an early breaker, and Monarrg. Bobby Blue looked the likely winner a furlong out, but he soon came to the end of his run. His turn cannot be far off. Dingle Bay gave a grand display of trotting when she outflnished Le Char in the Dictation Handicap. She trotted the 13 furlongs in 3min 28 4-ssec. Black Frost had his chance and was a useful third, clear of Dan Mack and Fri. All ' Alone did best of the favourite bracket, finishing sixth.